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| From the program
aired the weekend of Dec. 15th & 16th, 2007: |
Our Featured Artist on this program was Gordon Mote, featuring songs
from his new Christmas CD called "The Star Still Shines." What a talented
young man Gordon is! It's no wonder he's been in such demand for years as
a studio musician in Nashville. Now he's the official pianist (replacing
Anthony Burger) on the Gaither Homecoming tour. Last summer he filled
in as pianist for the Ernie Haase and Signature Sound summer tour.
And, of course, he does quite a few concerts of his own. It's interesting
that he's been known primarily as a pianist. But he sings, too. In fact,
he has a current radio single that's been doing very well for him. And, as
you heard on this program, his Christmas CD is vocal, often including his
wife, Kimberly, who is also quite a singer. Gordon is an excellent
example of how God can use someone who's been blind from birth to do great
things for Him. And it's a reminder how much the rest of us who are not so
handicapped could (should) be doing for the Lord.
Gordon says of his music, "It is my prayer that my music will encourage
you and point you toward the Father who is the very Author, Creator, and
Sustainer of this life. He is the Giver of all good things, and to Him alone
be all praise and glory!"
Gordon Mote's Christmas CD featured on this program, "The Star
Still Shines," is available from our mailorder service, Springside. Just
call 1-800-38-MUSIC to order. You can order easily from our webstore by
clicking
on this link to go directly to this item. (Orders over $40 in the
USA qualify for free shipping.)
December on The Gospel Greats program is a month like no other, thanks
to all of the great Christmas music that's available. There's more good Christmas
music available now from Southern Gospel artists than ever before, it seems.
But I do like to go back and dig out some "Christmas Classics," such as the
ones you heard on this program from the Hinsons and the Blackwood
Brothers.
I'm glad we got a chance to visit with Ann Downing on an Artist Spotlight
segment about her new Christmas CD called "Yuletide." Ann's such fun
to visit with at any time, but especially at Christmastime. It's hard to
believe this is her first-ever Christmas recording! Ann calls it a long-overdue
labor of love. About Ann's Christmas CD, one reviewer put it this way: "Some
might call it vintage or even 'retro,' but for Ann Downing, this is the
'Yuletide' CD she waited to create until just he right time. She searched
until she discovered the classic arrangements of Rosemary Clooney's 'Spirit
of Christmas,' and Ella Fitzgerald's 'Sleigh Ride,' and then she
kept looking until she found the perfect balance between seasonal evergreen
favorites, and the treasured carols that light the way to the true meaning
of Christmas."
Here's the
link to go directly to this item in our webstore.
 As
you heard on the Headline Update, "Big" Jim Hamill, who was
the guiding force for many years for the Kingsmen, passed away November
29th. On the Headline Update, you heard from some of Jim's friends
talking about him, and from Jim himself as he summed up his career upon induction
into the
Southern
Gospel Music Hall of Fame a few years ago. Jim's on-stage personna was
sometimes gruff and demanding, but if you talk with anyone who knew him
personally, he had a heart as big as all outdoors. You heard a few such comments
from friends on the air. Although Jim had been ill for some time, he will
definitely be missed from the Southern Gospel music scene. He was a one-of-a-kind
individual. And that's good — because nobody else could do what Jim
did the way he did it and make it work so well. (Memorials may be sent
to Janet Hamill, PO Box 945, Hendersonville NC 28793.)
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